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Tom Reed,who previously covered the Blue Jackets for The Dispatch, is back after a five-year absence while working for the newspaper in that city up north: Cleveland. Follow him on Twitter at @treed1919

Bobrovsky Out 4-5 Weeks

Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will miss four to five weeks, according to GM Jarmo Kekalainen, after an MRI today revealed he suffered a strained groin in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Tampa Bay.

It's a staggering blow for the Blue Jackets, who have been treading water for weeks in the Metropolitan Division. Bobrovsky, who won the Vezina Trophy last season, has been the backbone of the club since the mid-point of last season, when coach Todd Richards deemed him the No. 1 goaltender over Steve Mason.

Curtis McElhinney will start Friday against the Minnesota Wild in Nationwide Arena and until further notice. The Blue Jackets recalled Mike McKenna from AHL Springfield earlier today to serve as McElhinney's back-up.

If Bobrovsky misses four weeks, he'll miss 12 games and return on Jan. 2. If he misses five weeks, he'll be out for 15 games with a return on Jan. 10.

It's the latest injury blow for the Blue Jackets, who have suffered 105 man-games lost through Tuesday's game. Currently, right wings Marian Gaborik, Nathan Horton and Jared Boll, center Derek MacKenzie and, now, Bobrovsky are on the shelf.

There's a chance MacKenzie could return Friday vs. the Wild. Boll could return next week.

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